Buying Real Estate – Seeing Past The Colors on the Wall

I’m sure most of us have watched one of those reality home search shows where a prospective buyer enters a home and immediately declares, “This color is awful. There is no way I could live in this house!” Believe it or not, this happens more often than you’d think. The reality is that most of us just can’t picture a house past it’s carpet, color, or even existing furniture.

This is one of the reasons Real Estate agents often recommend staging or even a little painting before a house is listed. By removing some personal items, simplifying the furniture layout, and painting walls white, you are creating more of a blank canvas to view. This will help a prospective buyer see their own furniture in the room, and see its true potential. Color, furniture size, and placement can make a big difference in the way a room looks.

As a buyer, we need to put aside personal taste. If we can look beyond the pink wallpaper, and orange shag carpeting, we just might find a diamond in the rough. Even if we can’t picture a room with new colors and our furniture, it’s important to understand a few basic truths. Walls can be painted and carpet can be replaced fairly easily, and without a lot of expense.

The same thing goes for the outside of a home. While basic architecture would be difficult to change, paint and landscape is certainly doable. You’d be amazed at the difference a little change in landscaping can make to the appearance of a home.

If you’re still struggling with a potential house you like, and a décor you don’t, you can always ask your Realtor what they think. Or invite a trusted friend with decorating experience to take a look at it with you, either in person or through a few pictures. Maybe bring along some paint color swatches and a carpet sample on your next walk through. It may seem silly to do in a house you haven’t even made an offer on yet, but then why not? If it helps you see a house as your home, I say go for it.

So the next time you walk into a house and wished you’d kept your sunglasses on just remember, you may be looking at your diamond in the rough.

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Boardwalk Properties is not responsible for any errors, omissions and change in price, prior sale, rent and withdrawal without notice. All information from sources reliable but not guaranteed. Photographs, videos, description and information about the properties reflect conditions at the time the information was obtained. We are pledged to this letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.